Regions

History, nature, literature, and the arts—whatever grabs your family’s interest, chances are, you’ll find lots to do in Concord. Just 45 minutes west of Boston, Concord has been called one of the more picturesque New England villages and is known far and wide for its revolutionary roots, extensive literary culture, and, of course, the "shot heard round the world." If you've ever been on Boston's Freedom Trail, a visit to this town is a perfect next step.

With great family-friendly spots to eat, too, we'd venture to say that Concord is just about the easiest, quickest, most satisfying day trip one could take from the city. Just plan your itinerary wisely using our tips below, and we're pretty sure that everyone will come home from Concord satisfied, and having learned a thing or two about our state's great history.

Does your kid love robots, LEGOs, computers, and NASA? What about multiplication, division, and science experiments? If so, your little ones will love participating in a fun and education STEM-centered class. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes create a space where kids can learn how to use science and math skills to create their own video games, build computer systems, experiment with chemical reactions (safely), and so much more. Check out our top picks for STEM classes in the greater Houston area for your budding engineer.

Although you'll have to wait until spring to catch the highly anticipated stage adaptations of Frozen and Harry Potter on Broadway, there's another popular kids' character hitting the boards this fall. After a well-reviewed Chicago run, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants musical sails into town this November featuring all the beloved Bikini Bottom denizens including Patrick, Squidward, and the endlessly optimistic title character who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

While I realize this production may sound like a soulless cash grab by Nickelodeon, which has long been interested in getting into the theater biz like its rival Disney, there are actually several reasons I expect this production to make a splash on Broadway. In fact, I think this may be one of those rare family shows that works on multiple levels, thrilling the brand's young fans while also winning over grown-ups with its stunning design, quirky humor, and songs by some of the biggest rock stars of all time—including the late David Bowie.

Escape rooms are as popular as ever. If you haven’t been locked in a room with your friends, family, or coworkers, Halloween is a great time to hear about it from your older kids. The escape rooms we mention are not recommended for children under the age of 12. This Halloween, escape rooms will let kids exercise their minds, not just their screams. The “locked” group has up to an hour to solve clues to make their way out. While some local escape rooms have haunted themed rooms, there are also some major Halloween attractions that have added escape rooms. Instead of seeing an “I escaped!” sign, your teen might actually feel like “I survived!” the challenging fright fest. If you’re looking to try this adventure with your family during the rest of the year, check out our post on family-friendly escape rooms.

One of the many benefits of living in a large city is that there are many, many resources (and places to play) for children of all abilities. While this is not a comprehensive list, here are some great options for classes, lessons, and activities around Houston for children of all ages with disabilities. For more ideas on classes and enrichment opportunities, check out our classes guide for Houston kids. And please send us a note at editor@mommypoppins.com if you would like to recommend an organization to add to our list.

The air is crisp, the apples are ripe, and fall fair and harvest festival season is about to get underway! We've rounded up two dozen great harvest fests in New Jersey, all packed with signature autumn activities like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin decorating (and picking), pie contests, scarecrow making, live animals, live music, and more. Some even incorporate a little early Halloween fun.

If your daughter's a fan of Samantha, Kit, MaryEllen, or Melody, or it's a major announcement in your house when the annual Girl of the Year is revealed, we've got news for you: American Girl is relocating and revamping its flagship Midtown store just in time for the holiday rush.

Those familiar with its current location just east of Rockefeller Plaza won't have to reroute themselves too far to find signature dolls' new home.

Summertime visits to an amusement park often mean dealing with long lines and sweating through your sunscreen. Fortunately, many parks around the Philadelphia area extend their seasons into the cooler fall months with Halloween-themed attractions. This can be a fantastic off-peak day trip for thrill-seeking families looking to enjoy a Halloween experience beyond the local parades and festivals. Several of the theme parks have kid-friendly attractions during the day, then transform into frightening tween-and-above entertainment zones at night. There are often trick-or-treat opportunities and costume contests, so children (and even some adults) can gather candy goodies and show off their Halloween disguises. If your family is seeking some over-the-top Halloween fun ranging anywhere from silly to downright scary, check our list of amusement parks sure to provide excitement.

Looking for more Halloween fun? Don't forget to check out our Halloween Guide.